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We stayed at the hotel between 14th & 17th October. We arrived by yacht having sailed around the Society Islands for a week. In fact we arrived a day early and announced our presence to Vatea who could not have been more helpful, allowed us to use the hotel mooring ball and then arranged for our over water bungalow to be prepared first thing the next morning when our crewed yacht left us. We were immediately impressed with the friendliness of the Polynesian staff and indeed all of the people of Huahine. This was in contrast to the rest of the Society Islands where the community were predominantly European and every beach seems to be private and protected by guard dogs and in one case a man brandishing a machete ! Te Tiare can only be accessed by boat which is a blessing to all those seeking a remote Polynesian location. Having read some past reviews we were a little concerned that the hotel would appear dated and in need of a refurb. We were most pleasantly surprised. Our room, the hotel in general and the grounds were in superb condition - having lived in the tropics for 4 years we know what an achievement this represents. The pool was also great. Lets put it this way. We stayed a the Waldorf Astoria in New York in August and the condition of that hotel was vastly inferior to Te Tiare. The food was also impressive, although we found the wine selection somewhat limited (albeit those wines that were available were reasonably priced). Our over water bungalow was situated right over a live and vibrant coral reef with nearby drop off. Again in stark contrast to the rest of the Society islands where almost all of the coral we came across was dead. The gift shop was closed however imediately opened when we expressed an interest at the front desk. We took the Motu Picnic extersion. A great 7 hour boat trip round the island that included drift snorkelling (some of it while feeding the resident population of black tip sharks !). We were allowed to keep our room right until our departure time of 3.30 PM. We gained a consistent impression of a highly efficiently run hotel: all of the staff were on the ball and tried their very best to accommodate us. We considered our stay very good value. Lets be clear Huahine is a remote Polynesian Island holding true to its Polynesian origins. We are well travelled and would put the island on a par with Mayreau in the Grenadines. Te Tiare with its 41 rooms is the biggest hotel on the island. If you're looking for packaged tourism go to Bora Bora. It took us 36 hours to travel to French Polynesia from the UK. We consider Te Tiare worth a return trip.

Stayed October 2012, traveled as a couple

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Ask trevorjharrison about Royal Huahine

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We believe Te Tiare is one of the best values among the over water beach resorts in the Society Islands. Our experience there was excellent from beginning to end. The hotel arranges for your transportation from the airport to their own boat terminal in the town of Fare. From there you take the hotel boat to the resort. The boat trip is within the lagoon's protected waters and takes at most 20 minutes.

Te Tiare is located in a beautiful cove surrounded by high hills and tropical forest. There are no roads to the resort, so the sense of having your own private island destination is complete. Unlike Bora Bora, which seemed overbuilt, it is Huahine's only over water beach resort.

We stayed in the over water bungalows furtherest toward the ocean. The room was quite spacious and very nice. Each has direct access to the ocean for swimming or snorkeling. At night you could hear the surf booming on the reef surrounding the island.

In all instances, the service and management of Te Tiare was excellent. Arrival and check in was painless as was our departure. We found the restaurant to be excellent. There was a very nice beach, kayaks and canoes free for guest use, a small but beautiful freshwater pool, and the grounds of the resort were beautifully maintained.

If your aim is to find a very quiet tropical retreat from a busy world, this is a good choice. If you need to be entertained, the hotel has a weekly polynesian dance show, but that's it, so you should plan on trying some of the activities like snorkel tours, fishing, or island tours.

Room Tip: Any of the over water bungalows should be great. Some of the garden bungalows nearest the beach wou...

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Stayed September 2012, traveled with friends

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Ask MandJ-Hawaii about Royal Huahine

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Overall, we were very disappointed in our stay at Te Tiare. We stayed at 4 other resorts in French Polynesia, and this was very much at the bottom of the list on many fronts; however, was the most expensive. I would never stay there again. Other resorts blew this one away.

With the right investment and service culture, this place could be amazing (given its location in a lagoon nestled into the side of a mountain). But, it definitely is not.

From a physical plant standpoint, it is definitely well past it's prime with much deferred maintenance. It is an older resort, and it shows through. Many little things could have been done to help in this regard, but hadn't been. The beach is very small, and the pool is both small and very basic concrete - with no attempt to have made it snazzier over time. Other places had amazing infinity pools. This one looked like something from the YMCA in Reading, PA.

From a service/friendliness standpoint, it was notably at the bottom of the list compared to other resorts. One reason seemed to be that they were VERY short staffed. Sometimes it felt like a ghost town at the front desk. For example, when we arrived, it took us well over a half hour to get a drink at the bar, it seemed because the bartender was out cleaning rooms. Over and over we heard all of the reasons that we couldn't get something done - when everywhere else was extremely accommodating. When we left on our last day, it was early in the morning. I just got a luggage cart and rolled our bags to the main building myself (which is a good walk), rather than deal with the service staff.

Regarding convenience, you can't get there by land, so you have to take the shuttle boat. But, the shuttle boat doesn't run from the airport and doesn't run frequently. On our arrival day, we were met at the airport by a cab - no resort staff present. We had to load our luggage into the cab by ourselves. It turns out that the cab driver had also made a deal to take another couple to a pension well off the road. When we arrived at the shuttle dock, there was no boat there, and the schedule showed that we'd have to wait almost 2 hours for the next one. The cab driver said one would come "in 10 minutes." We waited 10 minutes and no sign of a boat. It turns out that our cab driver had called the resort and told them to not wait for us (on the prior shuttle run) so that he could drop the other couple off. I ended up calling the resort (at international rates) and they informed me that we'd have to wait the 2 hours. I wondered why we were paying $80 for "airport transfer" if we were just taking their regularly-scheduled boat. After some discussion, they seemed to realize that we were resort guests and said they'd send the shuttle back. I found this odd as we had provided our flight information - and everywhere else was very on top of this aspect of service. I asked when it would arrive, and they said he'd be there in 15. After 15 minutes, I called again and they said he would leave soon. More than 30 minutes later, a shuttle arrived. All of this was extra upsetting when you then realize that its only a 12 minute boat ride. So, your only connection to get anywhere from the resort is the shuttle, which runs more like every 2 hours, and the boat captains were unfriendly.

On the plus side, the lagoon was the best one for snorkeling and swimming from your bungalow - being bit deeper and having coral and fish in it.

Stayed September 2012, traveled as a couple

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Ask Steven W about Royal Huahine

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We just returned from French Polynesia 3 days ago. We were there for 14 days - 5 of which included a stay at Te Tiare Beach Resort. Absolutely fabulous. We were in bungalow 39 - one of the deep water bungalows. It was like sitting on top of an aquarium. They are in about 12 feet of water but behind you is the lagoon. We had the pleasure of seeing a manta ray and her three babies swimming in the lagoon. One morning it was so still and water so calm the fish and coral were so clear. That was the only day on our full 14 days it was calm so we were in awe. The bungalows are huge and very clean/nice. The staff was outstanding. Food was very good. We had room service all the nights we were there. Who wants to leave the bungalows! It was paradise!!! Highly recommended. The island of Huahine is so lush and beautiful. A nice way to start our vacation. Thanks everyone at Te Tiare. Hope to return sometime.

Room Tip: The deep water bungalows are the best- they are in front of all of the bungalows so you have clear v...

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Stayed September 2012, traveled with friends

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Ask Cold-n-MN about Royal Huahine

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This was the most expensive stop on the honeymoon we were taking. I had talked through with my wife where we were going on our four four week honeymoon and we decided to do French Polynesia so Tahiti for a few days, Bora Bora as it is iconic and I had really liked Huahine when I read up and this hotel also seemed lovely so it was my choice and gosh even I do say so myself a very good one!We flew into Huahine and a taxi was waiting to take us to the boat dock where we waited about 15 minutes for the shuttle boat to the hotel. There is no road there to the hotel. The boat trip was lovely the island is scenic and as you arrive the hotel looks simply stunning. As the boat arrives one of the Tahitian men blew his shell to welcome us as new guests - corny maybe but nice nonetheless. The staff were all friendly and helpful, a welcome drink was served and bags taken to our bungalow. After a short time we were shown our bungalow and it was lovely. We had a deep overwater bungalow (worth every penny) and this island was far less expensive than the fancy hotels on Bora Bora so no complants from my perspective.So we had a look around, a small walk in wardrobe area with loads of storage, a huge bathroom with a big walk in shower. The main room had a lovely big and comfortable bed, tv and all the right stuff. Then there is the outside - a big deck with two sunbeds and a covered area with a table and chairs. There were also steps down to the platform near the sea with steps into the sea itself. The sea is crystal clear and bluer than you can imagine. Under our bungalow there were electric blue fish living there so we could see them every day. Next up a swim in the water - it was fabulous. Next up was the snorkelling - neither of us had done it before - well as you get in the water up pop a couple of brightly coloured yellow fish clearly interested in you. Swimming up to within about a foot of you it was so beautiful to see. As you swim around the coral is fabulous and there are different types of fish of all colours and hues in the water.The food was good and not badly priced, so we spent our days relaxing on our sundeck then snorkelling, lunch at the beach restaurant and dinner in the main restuarant. I have no complaints about the service or speed of it and to be honest we were in paradise and were happy to take things at a leisurely pace.The sunsets were lovely and the stars at night are so clear - something that we do not see so well in the city so nice and romantic to stare at in the evening.Would I recommend this place - without a doubt. Would I go back - I truly hope so.

Stayed August 2012, traveled as a couple

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Ask Ken C about Royal Huahine

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Accessible only by boat, the Te Tiare Hotel is the perfect place to stay away fro the troubles of the world.The bungalows are really big and if you choose the overwater ones, the view every morning will take your breath away, especially during sunsets.The restaurant is big enough but you can still feel like the only ones in the place if you choose the best seats. The personnal was sweet and always willing to make you feel like a king in paradise. Definitely an adress to keep in mind.

Stayed April 2012, traveled as a couple

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Ask Vogue02 about Royal Huahine

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We arrived on Huahine on a late Sunday afternoon. The transfer cab was waiting on us at the arrival gate at the small airport in Huahine. He gathered our luggage and took us to the dock where Te Tiare has the boat shuttle pick guest up for the short (15-20 min.) ride to the resort. It's the only way in, thank God! The shuttle boat ride both to and from the resort were amazing. On the way we were greeted by a school of dolphins playing in the water and the "Capitain" did not hesitate to spend quite a bit of time following them so we all could get a better look. We also saw flying fish suspended in the air it seemed as the boat past them. They seem to hang in the air for minutes! Upon arrival at Te Tiare, you are greeted by a Tahitian blowing the sea shell like a horn to greet you. The rception also includeds a personal greeting on the dock by name with a wet cloth to wipe the sea off with. You are escorted to the "living room where you are offered fruit drinks and then have all documents processed for your arrival and departure. The recption includes a tour of the main building where the restaurant and bar are. You are then taken to your bungalow. In our case it was a deep water overwater bungalow, # 32. A great bungalow with beautiful water below you and a spacious room and deck to enjoy and spend your time in and on. The bed was very comfortable, the bathroom very large, a nice sitting area, and an awesome deck for laying on the lounge chairs on, a nice table under the thatched roof to eat or take a break from the sun on, and that wonderful step way down to the shower and then into the water. The coral was everywhere and fish also. At night with the outdoor under the bungalow lights on the fish were everywhere and beautiful. The bungalow was exactly as presented and more.

The restaurant at dinner was very, very good. Enjoy a liesurely dinner with ope air tables looking out over the water. We tried a number of dishes and all were great. The wine was reasonable for French Polynesia. Very good service! The staff serves double duty beause of the size and you get to know them very quickly. Breakfast was a nice buffet and you must order the fried eggs! The best eggs ever!. I can't say that enough, the absolute best! The food and service was exceptional!

We ordered room service for both wine and lunch and were also taken care of more than adequate. Just remember you are on a small slice of this island and things in French Polynesia do not move fast. Sit back and enjoy and don't sweat the small stuff!

Snorkeling was great and they have kayaks and canoes to use. The sun is amazing, the water more amazing and the calmness of Te Tiare out of this world.Just relax and take it all in and chill under the French Polynesian sun!

We took the boat into Fare one day and enjoyed the village and shopping and more sun and beach. The people are extremely friendly and you wil probably get to know some of the guest because it is a small resort and you see the same people at meals and on the shuttle boat. It doesn't mean you are over run or obligated to interact, but you are in a special place and yoiu do acknowledge that with the other guest.Take the boat and go explore if you have the time.

The gift shop is usually closed, but will be open on request although it was open when we were leaving. It is a nice little shop and we did buy some pearl ear rings and bracelets. The village of Fare has some good deals on black pearls also, probaly better than here.

Upon checkout you are told to leave your bags packed by the door and what time to be at the boat for the ride back to Fare and the airport. At leaving you are given a traitional Tahitian farewell which you will have to discover on your own! It is a bittersweet goodby because this is really a very special place and very remote and private. We could have stayed so much longer, it is such an amazing little resort.

The clearest water, wonderful sun, beautiful sailboats passing by, exceptional food, and the feeling you are tucked away on your own little island in paradise. Go and enjoy!

mauruuru Te Tiare Resort!

Room Tip: The deep water overwater bungalows are the only way to go. You are out over the best part with the m...

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Stayed August 2012, traveled as a couple

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Also Known As:

Te Tiare Beach Hotel Huahine

Te Tiare Beach Huahine

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